Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Report

Press Report

Latvian parliament speaker Janis Straume on Tuesday met with visiting Benelux ambassadors to NATO and presented to them the Baltic State’s accomplishments in its efforts to join the alliance reported the Latvian parliament press service. Straume told Belgian, Luxembourg and Dutch ambassadors to NATO that Latvia can wait for the next NATO enlargement wave with well-grounded hopes. The Benelux representatives praised Latvia's progress in its movement towards NATO. They also inquired about ratification of the convention on the protection of ethnic minorities. Latvia has signed the convention but it has not been approved by the parliament yet.

Latvian parliament speaker Janis Straume on Tuesday met with visiting Benelux ambassadors to NATO and presented to them the Baltic States accomplishments in its efforts to join the alliance reported the Latvian parliament press service. Straume told Belgian, Luxembourg and Dutch ambassadors to NATO that Latvia can wait for the next NATO enlargement wave with well-grounded hopes. The Benelux representatives praised Latvia's progress in its movement towards NATO. They also inquired about ratification of the convention on the protection of ethnic minorities. Latvia has signed the convention but it has not been approved by the parliament yet. BNS, Latvijas Vestnesis

Social Democrats who now practically are in charge for development of Moscow – Riga cooperation agreement promise that in the agreement will take into consideration the proposal made by local government factions and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the society will be informed about everything. In spite of these promises political scientists are rather skeptic and point out that a year before the important decision on Latvia’s joining NATO activities of Social Democrats could hinder Latvia’s movement towards West.

Social Democrats who now practically are in charge for development of Moscow – Riga cooperation agreement promise that in the agreement will take into consideration the proposal made by local government factions and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the society will be informed about everything. In spite of these promises political scientists are rather skeptic and point out that a year before the important decision on Latvias joining NATO activities of Social Democrats could hinder Latvias movement towards West. Diena

Let families of non-citizens be more actively involved in the processes of civic participation Naturalization Board Rezekne Office has restores a TV contest “Latvia in my family”. In the contest are invited to participate families of residing in Eastern Latvia where at least one family member is a non-citizen. Participants will have to show their knowledge of Latvian history, possibilities to receive citizenship. The main prize is a trip abroad.

Let families of non-citizens be more actively involved in the processes of civic participation Naturalization Board Rezekne Office has restores a TV contest Latvia in my family. In the contest are invited to participate families of residing in Eastern Latvia where at least one family member is a non-citizen. Participants will have to show their knowledge of Latvian history, possibilities to receive citizenship. The main prize is a trip abroad. Diena

K.Valcers writes about one of the top priorities of Latvian foreign policy - joining NATO. Writing about the possible threats to Latvia in the future K.Valcers names a possibility that Latvians might become a minority even among citizens, and integration will not prevent non-Latvian citizens from uniting with their ethnic fatherland. And remembering the fact that in Latvia will always reside a considerable number of disloyal non-citizens, a possibility that Latvia might became an autonomous republic within Russian Federation in even more possible that Russian invasion.

K.Valcers writes about one of the top priorities of Latvian foreign policy - joining NATO. Writing about the possible threats to Latvia in the future K.Valcers names a possibility that Latvians might become a minority even among citizens, and integration will not prevent non-Latvian citizens from uniting with their ethnic fatherland. And remembering the fact that in Latvia will always reside a considerable number of disloyal non-citizens, a possibility that Latvia might became an autonomous republic within Russian Federation in even more possible that Russian invasion. Rigas Balss

In accordance with the State Language law have been developed regulations of spelling foreign personal names and surnames in the Latvian language. The draft regulations were approved by the government commission, now it is up to the Cabinet of Ministers. Deputy Director of State Language Center A.Timuska explains newspaper

In accordance with the State Language law have been developed regulations of spelling foreign personal names and surnames in the Latvian language. The draft regulations were approved by the government commission, now it is up to the Cabinet of Ministers. Deputy Director of State Language Center A.Timuska explains newspaper Neatkariga details of these regulations.

The recent dismissal of Riga City Vice Mayor representative of Freedom and Fatherland I.Vaidere was just a trial step of Social Democrats. Yesterday the leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars announced that next week a new vote would take place in Riga City Council but he did not specify who would be dismissed.

The recent dismissal of Riga City Vice Mayor representative of Freedom and Fatherland I.Vaidere was just a trial step of Social Democrats. Yesterday the leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars announced that next week a new vote would take place in Riga City Council but he did not specify who would be dismissed. Vesti Segodnya

Just at the very end of tourist season DCMA prepared regulations stipulating the procedure of drawing up, approving, shipping and annulling private visas to the Republic of Latvia. These regulations are necessary to ease considerably the trouble for future applicants. Ten changes were made in the regulations, e.g. invitation time has been prolonged from 30 to 90 days.

Just at the very end of tourist season DCMA prepared regulations stipulating the procedure of drawing up, approving, shipping and annulling private visas to the Republic of Latvia. These regulations are necessary to ease considerably the trouble for future applicants. Ten changes were made in the regulations, e.g. invitation time has been prolonged from 30 to 90 days. Vesti Segodnya